Yaz Lawsuit Settlements Announced For Gallbladder-Related Cases
On March 19, 2013, new Yaz lawsuit settlements were announced for the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of Illinois. The agreement was reached between Bayer Pharmaceuticals, the defendant, and lawyers for plaintiffs who claimed gallbladder injuries from Yaz and Yasmin.
The proposed settlements affect plaintiffs who have a case pending in multidistrict litigation (MDL) No. 2100, as well as other claimants with a Yaz lawsuit filed in New Jersey, California and Pennsylvania state courts.
Settlements for dangerous drugs not to exceed $24 million
Under the terms of the agreement, Bayer will pay no more than $24 million to the plaintiffs. The agreement affects only those who allege gallbladder problems from taking the popular birth control pill, such as gallbladder disease. Some plaintiffs have also claimed that the oral contraceptives damaged their gallbladder to the extent which required surgical removal.
With the current number of plaintiffs involved in the multidistrict litigation, a plaintiff who has had a gallbladder removal can expect to receive $3,000. Those who allege gallbladder inflammation or other injury without organ removal may receive $2,000. However, if other cases opt-in to the settlement, those figures may decline.
The defendants have not wavered from their previous statements that Yaz and Yasmin carry no additional risk of gallbladder disease than comparable birth control pills.
Previous Yaz lawsuit settlements totaled over $1 billion
In 2012, Bayer reached an agreement with thousands of other Yaz and Yasmin plaintiffs who had maintained that these dangerous drugs caused life-threatening blood clots. These settlements did not apply to the plaintiffs who suffered gallbladder problems. Instead, they only applied to cases that involved deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism. Deep vein thrombosis refers to the development of blood clots in deep veins, and pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot travels to the lungs and blocks an artery. The latter condition is often a complication of the former, and both can be fatal if medical treatment is not administered promptly.
The total settlement payout for these cases is expected to top $1.5 billion. That figure would mean that each plaintiff would receive $215,000. The settlement amount for cases involving blood clots was likely higher than the amount for gallbladder cases because there was more scientific evidence that linked Yaz and Yasmin to life-threatening blood clots.
Deadlines for Yaz lawsuit settlements
For plaintiffs with a case pending against Bayer that involves gallbladder injury or surgical removal, there are a couple of important deadlines. The deadline to file a lawsuit was on March 25, 2013. Plaintiffs who have already filed a complaint that alleges only gallbladder-related issues may opt-out of the settlement until April 29, 2013. However, they also have the option to file for a 30-day extension. Those who do not choose to opt-out will automatically be involved in the settlement.
However, some claimants have alleged both gallbladder issues and blood clot injuries. These women are not automatically involved; they must opt-in by April 29 and may also request a 30-day extension.
Consulting a New York product liability lawyer
Although Yaz lawsuit settlements have already been reached, patients who believe they have suffered adverse events as a result of the birth control pills can still file a complaint. Consult a New York product liability lawyer to help you determine if you are eligible to pursue compensation in court to cover your past and future medical bills, loss of wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Contact The Sanders Firm today to discuss legal recourse for injuries sustained from taking dangerous drugs. Reach us toll-free at 1-800-FAIR-PLAY to schedule your complimentary consultation. No fee will ever be assessed unless we win compensation on your behalf.
